North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay – 10 days

At 8 a.m., we will pick you up at your hotel to go to BM Travel Adventure’s Office for a quick briefing on safety purposes. To successfully overcome rugged roads in the tour, we must ensure our bikes are in the best status. So don’t forget to have your bikes carefully checked up before running. Firstly, we take a ride of 4 kilometers along the Red River. Life along the river levee is like a small world in miniature with the traffic of tiny dings and boats through pretty fishing villages, detached ferries crossing the river, and immense cornfields. 

Keep going further 60 km to enjoy the quaint and tranquil scenery before reaching Trung Ha Bridge. After lunchtime, we arrive at Xuan Son National Park. Get onto a bunch of mild back-road and off-road tracks, then cross two long passes leading to Nghia Lo township. Nghia Lo welcomes you with pleasant weather, unique cultural features, and many revolutionary relics such as Ho Chi Minh Memorial Area, Con Nghia Lo, and Muong Lo markets. We will spend a night at the Muong Lo hotel. 

After having breakfast, go for a 50km ride to Tu Le on winding roads cutting through untamed land and rice terraces spreading as far as the eyes can see. If the weather is nice, prepare ourselves for the upcoming off-road trail with a coffee break. Go back in the direction we have come to the National Route 32 for a photo hunt at the Parasailing site. From the peak, you can eye-witness the panoramic view of Tu Le terrace valley and the foot of Khau Pha Pass. With a length of over 32 km, Khau Pha Pass is the most rugged and longest pass on National Route 32. 

The pass also takes us through must-visit attractions such as La Pan Tan, Mu Cang Chai, Tu Le, Che Cu Nha, and Nam Co. Spend time visiting La Pan Tan mountain peak before worry-free Mu Chang Chai Town. Have lunch at Mu Cang Chai township, then make our way to O Quy Ho Pass – one of the longest, most daunting yet imposing mountain passes in Vietnam’s northwestern region. Here, halt our journey for a short period to behold the twilight before saying hello to Sapa. Stay overnight at Cat Cat View Hotel in this peaceful rural town.  

Summary: 

Distance: 230 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cat Cat View Hotel

Kick off the day by visiting the most distinctive attractions in Sapa on your motorbike. Make tracks for Sin Chai valley, then ride through Cat Cat village. After crossing a short off-road section, we continue to ride along National Highway 4D to subsequently reach Khoang Village and uncover Ta Phin valley. Have a short break before rolling into Lao Chai – Ta Van valley and Sau Chua Peak. The next point is Y Linh Ho village on the other side of the mountain, then move on to Ta Van village for lunch at a homestay. The road from Y Linh Ho to Ta Van village is a newly paved one with medium curves and scenic spectacles on both sides. 

For a perfect off-road exploration with a better view, turn on the small twisting road parallel to provincial road 153 to get to Bac Ha Market – the superb example of a traditional highland market bursting with wonderful colors and yummy flavors. Not only a central and special trading hub, but Bac Ha is also a meeting place for lovers and young singles to find their significant half. After that, we come to the Cung Fu hotel to check – in at about 5:30 p.m.

Summary: 

Distance: 170 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Cung Fu Hotel

The excursion today will leave you speechless with a tour to the land of grandeur and wonders – Ha Giang. Among the fabulous attractions of the land, we will get to see Hoang Su Phi rice terrace – a national tourism hotspot aside from various extreme off-road routes, cloud-hugged mountain tops, and treacherous mountain passes. There are two ways to choose from after leaving Bac Ha town. The first option is to get on the old provincial road 153 to reach Coc Pai town, a humble town in Xin Man District with the highest ethnic market in Ha Giang. Or travel for 40 km of quite rugged off-road.

After a short coffee break is another 20 km off-road track to Phung village, then cross into Vinh Quang town for lunch. Go throughout Hoang Su Phi’s rice terraced valley. We can opt for an off-road way to Ha Giang, but it’s going to be late to reach the hotel. That’s why we choose to run towards Ha Giang city along National Highway 2 instead. Being known as a paradise of buckwheat flowers, Ha Giang has more to offer with the majestic beauty of nature, wonders, and mountainous zigzag passes such as Chieu Lau Thi peak, Tay Con Linh peak, and Ma Pi Leng Pass, to name a few. We’ll have supper and sleep at Truong Xuan Resort, where you can entirely relax after long driving hours. 

Summary: 

Distance: 180 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Start our day with a delightful breakfast, then have an off-road Ha Giang option. The road is not so challenging that you can take time to enjoy the pristine beauty and wonders on wheels. On the road cutting through the forest and crossing a gorgeous waterfall, we can stop a while for snapshots at the traditional weaving village: Lung Tam. One of the noticeable remarks in this journey is Quan Ba valley, which we can’t skip visiting. Looking down from an elevation of nearly 8000 meters, Quan Ba appears with forested hills and meadows, hidden grottoes, multicolored orchids, plum and peach trees, medicinal plants, and many more blending to create a picturesque scene. We can opt for running along the main road to discover the Yen Minh pine forest in Yen Minh town between Quan Ba and Dong Van or clearing a 20km off-road section to get back to the raw nature and daily life of the locals. 

After having lunch at Yen Minh town, mosey along with the capital of the Rock Plateau, and visit an ancient lord-house of the H’Mong people. Then we conquer one of the greatest four passes of Vietnam – Ma Pi Leng along the Happy Road and Nho Que River. Ma Pi Leng Pass is the most dangerous one in Northern Vietnam. On top of the pass, you can immerse yourself in the fabulous dusk. Eventually, we will return to Hoa Cuong Hotel for dinner and sleep. 

Summary: 

Distance: 170 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Hoa Cuong Hotel

Cao Bang Province – the destination of the day is popular for various tourist sites: Ban Gioc Waterfall, Nguom Ngao Cave, Pac Po Cave, Lenin Stream, and the 15-storeyed pass curve. Our crew will experience a dream ride throughout the route – an amazing mix of on-road and off-road riding accompanied by fascinating sceneries on sides. Depending on the weather and your riding skills, we sort out the most suitable and exciting route for you. Our planned route is for experienced riders in favorable condition weather, but we always have backup plans to go sideways. 

Khau Vai Love Market is the first stop on the outskirt of Meo Vac commune. Aside from trading goods, the market is held for lovers who can’t stay together to meet at least once a year. Then we follow a tricky way with full of twists and turns, and up-hill climbs and downwards spirals to reach Bao Lac in Cao Bang province. Have lunch at a local restaurant in Bao Lac town. Heaving in our sight, the way to Quang Uyen is a land of unrivaled and unique beauty. Thereafter, we uncover the west of Cao Bang along the Vietnam – China frontier, surrounded by limestone mountains, luscious cornfields, and small villages. Finally, we will check in at a homestay in Cao Bang. 

Summary: 

Distance: 210 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Today will cover a 210 km distance with seven riding hours to explore the marvelous landscapes in Cao Bang and Lang Son provinces. Cao Bang surprises tourists with one of the most impressive natural sights with multiple levels and green jade water flowing down the huge lake below – Ban Gioc waterfall. Go boating on foot or go swimming on the side of the fall; you will be closer to nature without being cornered by crowds of tourists. The Vietnam – China frontier divides the fall and river in half, so you will see lots of Chinese tourists here. Get back your energy with a cup of coffee, then depart to Nguom Ngao Cave. Spend 45 minutes exploring one of the most well-known caves in the North with countless stalactites and stalagmites of all shapes and sizes.

After lunchtime at Quang Uyen, we have an excursion to Bac Son valley, which is known as an ideal cloud hunting site of Na Lay peak. Standing on the peak with an altitude of about 600m above sea level, the panorama view of Bac Son is surely worth your effort of climbing 1200 steps of stairs! Arrive at a homestay in the village, and we will get to learn and experience the craft-work on the roof tiles – the exotic feature of all houses in this area. Have a stroll around or enjoy some beer with a great view.

Summary: 

Distance: 210 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Leaving Bac Son – the valley of love and reminiscence, we can run along National Highway 1 or 18 to Ha Long Bay. However, these are the main artery roads in and out of Quang Ninh province, riddled with heavy traffic; we’d rather guide you to move towards Khe Ro’s old-growth forest and go on the spiritual route west of Yen Tu to reach Ha Long. Yen Tu nature reserve – one of the spots we run through stretches over five communes, including Thanh Son, Thanh Luan, Tuan Mau, An Lac, and Luc Son. It’s a national landmark welcoming millions of travelers every year with its exotic religious and casual sightseeing. Yen Tu is also a sacred Buddhist land where the ancient Buddhist King Tran Nhan Tong achieved enlightenment and started a branch of Buddhism distinctive to Vietnam.

Right after lunch, we from Yen Tu head towards Quang Ninh city – the province of coal, in which Ha Long city is situated. In the late afternoon, we will arrive at Ruby Hotel in Ha Long city, where we will provide you with a hearty supper with beer and freshly caught seafood. 

Summary: 

Distance: 240 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Ruby Hotel

After long days of riding hard, sleep a bit more today. Get up at 9 in the morning for a fresh start; we offer you breakfast with Vietnamese coffee. Start off your new day with a wander around the city for a while by bike or on foot. Embark on a cruise to explore the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. Your lunch is on at 1 p.m., savoring your meal while the cruise keeps crossing the bay to show you the majestic and mighty nature. 

Halong teems with abundant scenic beauty, archeological and geological significance, cultural and historical connections, and fresh seafood. All are blending together to make Halong Bay one of Mother Earth’s most incredible natural wonders and one of Vietnam’s most prized treasures. In the afternoon, we disembark from the cruise to Titop island, climbing 430 steps to the top of the island for a view of Halong bay from up high. Back to the cruise and join a cooking class held by the cruise chefs to learn the recipe for spring rolls. Dinner is on at 7:15 p.m. Then you can go fishing for cuttlefish, ending fun and relaxing day on our cruise ship.

Summary: 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Luxurious cruise

After savoring a light breakfast with a cup of coffee, we will explore Sung Sot Cave (the Cave of Astonishment) – the largest cave in Halong Bay made of stalactites and stalagmites in unique and special shapes like an old banyan tree with luxuriant foliage. It’s also one of the ten largest caves in the world, with an area of 10,000 m2. Reaching the highest peak of the cave, you will see the beautiful landscapes of a royal garden that appears with a clear pond. 

After a brunch buffet, we will check out of the hotel at 11:30 a.m. Head back to the capital city – Hanoi. On the last day, we will clear the levees – the safest and most stunning route to get back home before rush hour. 

Be present at our tour office at 4:30 in the afternoon. End of the overwhelming 10-day North Vietnam Motorbike Tour from Hanoi to Halong Bay. We ensure to bring you the best experience of the rawest and most authentic Vietnam as we can. We hope you have a nice and unforgettable motorbike trip!

Summary: 

Distance: 180 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch